[Polity] Recent updates on Representation of Peoples Act,1951

I would like to share various sections of Representation of people Act(RPA) 1951 which were in news recently.1. Section 123

It explains about what comes under corrupt practises in election. The
SC, upholding the offer of grinders, mixies, laptops, etc, made by the
AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu said that all promises made in the
election manifestocannot be considered as a corrupt practice. The
judgement also said that the state distributing largesse in the form of
colour TVs, laptops, mixer-grinders, etc, to eligible and deserving
persons is directly related to the Directive Principles.However the SC directed the Election Commission to frame guidelines
in this regard in consultation with all recognised parties as it was
doing for the general conduct of candidates, holding of meetings and
processions, polling day discipline and norms for the party in power.2. Section 8(4)SC has struck down Section 8(4) of RPA as unconstitutional. It allows
convicted lawmakers a 3 month period for filing their appeal to the
higher court and to get a stay of the conviction and the sentence. SC
held that charge-sheeted Members of Parliament and MLA’s on conviction
for offences will be disqualified from holding membership.3. Section 62(5)Here, SC upheld the findings of the Patna Highcourt. It states that
“A person who has no right to vote by virtue of the provisions of
Section 62(5) of RPA 1951 is not an elector and is not qualified to
contest the election of the house of people or the legislative assembley
of the state”. Section 62(5) of act prevents those in lawful custody
from voting, it points that those in lawful custody are not qualified
for membership of legislative bodies.But this verdict might result in vendetta politics as political
parties in power uses police to file a case and effect arrest of rivals.4. Section 10 AThe Election Commission has served a show-cause notice to senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde,
asking why he should not be disqualified for failing to maintain and
lodge a true account of his expenditure on the 2009 Lok Sabha poll
campaign.The show-cause notice, served under Section 10A of the
Representation of People’s Act, 1951, asked Munde to reply within a
20-day time frame, failing which he would face disqualification and be
barred from contesting an election to either Houses of Parliament or to
the legislative assembly/council for a period of three years.Under Section 10A of the Representation of the People Act
1951,Election Commision has jurisdiction and power to conduct an enquiry
and to look into the correctness or falsity of the return of election
expenses maintained and filed by a candidate in an election.